Summary At approximately 1200 on 21 December 1995, the KAPITONAS MESCERIAKOV was transiting Lac St. Franois, Quebec, in restricted visibility and severe ice conditions for the time of year. Abreast of buoys D6 and D4, the ice field south of the channel was observed to be moving northward and closing the track of open water left by the other vessels transiting through the area. The KAPITONAS MESCERIAKOV, driven toward the north edge of the channel by the ice field, tried unsuccessfully to counteract the drift; however, the vessel eventually did return to the middle of the channel. Subsequently, an ingress of water was discovered in the No. 3 port double-bottom tank. Although the crew did not feel any jolt and the vessel did not strike the bottom, the crack in the tank appears to have occurred when the vessel was driven toward the north edge of the channel by the ice. There were no injuries or pollution as a result of this occurrence. Factual Information Particulars of the Vessel At daybreak on the morning of 21 December 1995, the KAPITONAS MESCERIAKOV, under the conduct of two pilots, departed the berthing wall downstream of the Snell Lock, bound for Ireland. In an area of open water abreast of the Saint-Zotique anchorage, the vessel reduced speed to pass safely with an upbound vessel. After passing the vessel, the KAPITONAS MESCERIAKOV resumed her course and, at a speed of about eight knots, entered a section of the channel between the Saint-Zotique anchorage and the Beauharnois Canal. The bridge watch noticed that the ice field to the south had moved northward and was closing the track of open water left by preceding vessels. The pressure of the ice caused the vessel to veer constantly to port. To counteract this effect, the pilots repeatedly had to correct the vessel's course to starboard. Despite the course corrections, it was impossible to keep the vessel in the middle of the channel. She drifted on a course that took her very close to the north edge of the channel abreast of buoy D4. The crew did not feel any abnormal jolt or vibration, but, when the vessel had left the ice zone and was transiting the Beauharnois Canal, the crew noticed that the vessel had a list to port. Soundings indicated that the No. 3 port double-bottom tank was full of water. Shortly thereafter, a crack was found in the turn of the bilge in way of the No. 3 port double-bottom tank.